Increasing Intensity Of The Chaotic Node: The Gulf Of Mexico

This is a new channeled message, via Tom Kenyon, from our beloved universal brothers and sisters known as The Hathors. They are extremely loving beings and they love humanity very dearly as they have played a major role in our history here on this planet and have a deep connection with us. They address this message with great love and concern for all. Enjoy!

You are entering a very difficult passage in this phase of the Chaotic Node. Danger to planetary life has been created through human arrogance, greed and stupidity. We are speaking here of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. You have not been told the entire truth about the situation by your media or by your government. The situation is dire and there are multiple possible timelines that intersect this event.

We wish to discuss some of these, but then shift our attention to you, the individual human. These timeline possibilities we are discussing are malleable, changeable. They are not written in stone, as the saying goes. There are so many factors involved in the ecological disaster unfolding in the Gulf; it is difficult to predict the actual outcome, as it will appear in your three-dimensional reality. And as we have said before, things can radically change even in the eleventh hour.

The oil and gas reserves that have been punctured are vast, and if it is not contained it will unfold into several possibilities.

One of these extreme possibilities is the extinction of much (if not all) sea life in the Gulf region and a transporting of the contaminants into the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf Stream to the coast of Europe, where a high level of toxicity will negatively affect ocean life in these regions of the Atlantic. If the puncture is not sealed, pollution of the entire Atlantic Ocean is a distinct possibility, and eventually the rest of the world’s oceans will be compromised. The further away from the Gulf region, the less toxicity there will be. But one distinct possibility is an eventual contamination of the entire Earth’s oceans.

In a worsening scenario, the methane gas, the natural gases in this field, could erupt and break through the ocean floor creating a tsunami of immense destructive capability as well as the release of poisonous gases into the region.

Another worse case scenario would unfold if the rift in the ocean floor were large enough to create a tectonic shift that rises up from the Gulf into the Mississippi and into the Great Lakes. This would be a disastrous scenario far beyond imagination.

Again, the current situation in the Gulf is a direct result of human arrogance, greed and stupidity on the part of the corporations involved in this incident and due to governmental negligence. The primary value that drives these corporate interests is profit, and so risks were taken that should have never been taken had the sanctity of life been included in the equation, but such was not the case. Sadly this is a trait of the age you are now leaving, and you are witnessing, first hand, the defamation of the waters of the Earth by a culture that depends upon oil and corporate interests that prevent the utilization of other technologies, all in the name of profit.

What will your money be worth if life is compromised? This simple intelligence test seems to have been failed. You are literally at the brink of the collapse of the old world and a chaotic birthing into the new.

The Chaotic Nodes are upon you in ever-increasing intensity. We view these as birth contractions, the birthing of a new Earth. And while the birthing of the new world is unfolding before you, if you are caught in one of the contractions it can be quite difficult.

In our opinion there is no place on Earth that will not be affected by the planetary changes, both natural and man-made. Some areas of the world will be less intensely affected, but all will be radically altered. Life on your planet is an interconnected web.

We advise those who are currently living in the Gulf region from twenty miles inland to the coastline to be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared. This is a time for honed intuition and instinct. If you feel an intuition to leave the area, this will be an intelligence test. Who will pass and who will fail is simply the impersonal force of evolution at hand.

If the Gulf incident continues without mitigation, then this will be a time of immense challenges for the entire planet. And so even if you are not living near the Gulf, this is a time for intuition and instinct. Our advice is to hone these abilities within you and to act on the revelations that come to you. Each of you will be in the place, the circumstances and the timing based upon your level of evolution and what you came to Earth to experience.

However bleak a situation may appear to you, we wish to convey clearly this message: you are the co-creator of your reality. Move upward in consciousness, even if those around you move downward. If the situation deteriorates it will be a difficult time, in that, mass hysteria will increase, and you will have to find the center path, the narrow passage that leads upward. In the past we have given suggestions on how to bootstrap your consciousness. We won’t go into those here. You may find them in the Archives.

Now is the time to step into your spiritual authority if you have not already done so. A dividing line is being drawn by evolution. The planet is responding to human greed, arrogance and stupidity. Gaia will survive this. It is not clear if the bulk of humanity will.

But even in the midst of this moving darkness there are exquisite opportunities to move upward in consciousness, both as individuals and as culturally creative/cooperative human communities.

You can also expect a continual deterioration of your financial system. The seeming recovery was a result of propping up a house of cards, and that house is beginning to shake again.

Our suggestion is to not be frightened by these changes that are upon you, but recognize them as breaks in the walls of a prison that have been erected around you. Step through the cracks into your freedom. You are creator gods and goddesses. You hold an immense power in your hands, but you have been sleeping and unaware of the immensity that you possess. Perhaps with this crisis in the Gulf, more of humanity will awaken and demand an end to the old ways that threaten all life.

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When Marilyn Manson Speaks, This Is Why We Should Listen

In Brief

To those who have not heard Marilyn Manson speak, many may conclude on appearance alone that he has nothing meaningful to say.

Reflect On:

What could be the value for people on their spiritual journey to examine the practices and words of someone who so starkly embodies the paradox of darkness and light?

For many people, Marilyn Manson should not be seen or heard. The very essence of his intentional persona–dark, irreverent, grotesque–makes many recoil in horror and disgust. Yet perhaps that is the very reason we may find value in listening to what he has to say.

Fans of his goth-shock rock show aside, individuals seeking to ascend the ladder of consciousness may be able to see in Marilyn Manson a part of their own suppressed fear and darkness turned inside-out. Coming to terms with Marilyn Manson could in some ways help us come to terms with ourselves.

To begin with, most people who have heard Marilyn Manson speak are aware that he is clearly not as he appears to be. In fact, he relishes embodying the paradox of darkness and light like few others. He is thoughtful, soft-spoken, and usually sprinkles in his disarming wit when we are least expecting it. What is undeniable is that he has given much contemplation to the philosophy of life, not in the academic sense as much as with regards to the embodiment of spiritual principles he believes in.

The Rejection Of Religious Dogma

One of the mainstays of Manson’s spiritual paradigm is the recognition that the fundamentalist side of Christianity within Western society is not going to lead to any healing or growth on the part of human individuals. This is because the rituals of Christianity, like going to church and repeating phrases mindlessly, only serve to keep our personal darkness hidden from us. These practices may temporarily assuage our trepidation about our inner chaos, but this is gained at the cost of relinquishing our sense of power to heal ourselves. In the video below, Manson touches upon his views about true spiritual practice:

I think church has very little to do with spirituality. I think it’s something you have to find in yourself, it’s about expressing your deepest fears and emotions, and putting it in something. It’s not about living in fear, and praying, and hoping you’re not going to go to hell, that’s not very spiritual to me.

Manson makes an important distinction between the teachings of Jesus and the trappings of fundamentalist Christianity, and it is a point of discernment that is certainly worth contemplating. He considers himself to be aligned with many of Jesus’ teachings and even suggests in his usual irreverent way that his own life and the life of Jesus have many similarities:

Usually people hate what they’re afraid of, it’s in the classic story, I think that even kinda goes back to Jesus, you know, they were afraid, didn’t understand him, so they killed him. I think the same thing exists in music, you know, maybe I should just become a Christian, and make them all happy, but, I think if I found Jesus, which–I didn’t know he was lost in the first place–if I did, I don’t think he would probably be that much different than me, you know, he’s a long-haired guy that likes to dress sexy. A lot of chicks were into him.

It’s not that different from what I do, you know, that probably horrifies Christians more than anything to hear that, but, I don’t disagree with a lot of the ideals that he was trying to get across. I just don’t like the way people abuse them to exploit others, and make, even children, feel guilty for having imagination or wanting to be individuals.

It is certainly thought-provoking to imagine how a dark shock-rocker sees similarities between himself and the pure-white savior of mankind. After all, Manson is a strong advocate of Aliester Crowley’s Law of Thelema, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” Does this not contradict the Golden Rule that was espoused by Jesus, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”?

Walking The Knife’s Edge

Not necessarily. But we need to be able to walk the knife’s edge in order to see how these two aspects can co-exist. And as you come to understand how these aspects can coexist, you are able to resolve the paradox named Marilyn Monroe Charles Manson.

Manson’s rejection of Christianity is based on his own experience that virtues like individuality, self-expression, and creativity are repressed in orthodox Christian practice. Certainly Friedrich Nietzsche, who Manson greatly admires, had the same condemnation for the institution that was the Catholic Church, where he criticizes the church for its attack on individual passion, desire, and by extension life itself. As Nietzsche says in his book Twilight of the Idols,

The church fights passion with excision in every sense: its practice, its “cure,” is castration. It never asks: “How can one spiritualize, beautify, deify a desire?” It has at all times laid the stress of discipline on extirpation–of sensuality, of pride, of the lust to rule, of avarice, of vengefulness. But an attack on the roots of passion means an attack on the roots of life: the practice of the church is hostile to life.

Manson became a flashpoint for many people because he embodied their highest hope: freedom from the restrictive structures of church and state. His popularity among his followers is in part founded on his embodiment of the emancipation of passion, desire, and individual self-expression, no matter that it is an expression of darkness more often than of light.

Humility

I won’t deny that Marilyn Manson is a troubled person that still has many inner wounds to heal, and the outward projection of that trauma can often be angry and violent. That being said, it seems clear that Manson understands the golden rule as self-evident, and when grounded, his orientation is towards being of service to other people. In general, he is humble enough not to take himself as seriously as many others do, and sees himself as a frail and fallible individual who continues searching for ways to find inner peace and fulfillment.

I like to look at all different religions, you know, I find valuable elements in, you know, Judaism, and Satanism, and Buddhism, and in Christianity as well, I think you can take different things that you can apply to your life, but if you follow anything solely, that’s as stupid as listening to everything that I have to say.

The Takeaway

Insofar as Marilyn Manson embodies a person who is willing to be vulnerable and authentically speak his mind, he inspires people to become more aware of who they are and whether or not they are living authentically. His recognition that we all must be willing to express our deepest fears and emotions, and in so doing expose them to the light of consciousness, is the reason we may be able to find some interesting clues within his provocative life about our own healing journey.

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6 Signs Of Growth To Start Giving Yourself Credit For

In Brief

The Facts:

Most of us are our own biggest critics in life. And while that self-criticism can at times be helpful when it comes to accountability, it can also be quite detrimental if all we ever do is mentally bully ourselves.

Reflect On:

What does your internal dialogue primarily consist of? Are you giving yourself enough credit for how you've grown over the years, are do you instead choose to beat yourself up for what you're not?

Whether or not you find yourself regularly on the receiving end of criticism from others, most would agree that the old adage that we are our own toughest critics is true. Even when we manage to accomplish one of the many goals we set out for ourselves, it typically doesn’t take our mind very long to find something within it to criticize.

A common reason for this is that the subjective expectation that so many of us set for ourselves, both consciously and subconsciously, is perfection. And while this frame of mind may seem both ambitious and healthy, as Tony Robbins infamously reminds us:

“Perfection is the lowest standard in the world. Because if you’re trying to be perfect, you know you can’t be. So what you really have is a standard you can never achieve.”

While there are plenty of tools, such as affirmations, meditation and the emotional freedom technique, designed to help us cut back on negative thought–which has been found to take up upwards of 70% of our mental chatter–I’ve found that one of the strongest antidotes is concrete evidence of the opposite.

Start Giving Yourself Credit For Your Successes

To assist in creating this, I’ve put together a list of six signs of growth that we all need to start giving ourselves credit for:

1. You’re Less Impacted By The Opinions Of Others

While part of this certainly comes naturally with age, the ability to genuinely be YOU regardless of what others may think, say or do about it deserves plenty of recognition. This is especially true in the social media driven world that so many of us are entrenched in, where sending and receiving criticism has never been easier.

So even if there are only certain areas of your life where you can confidently say you are not impacted by the opinions of others, each of those areas is a great accomplishment to celebrate.

2. You’re Not Afraid To Say “No”

To some of us, it comes naturally, while to others it’s one of the toughest words to say despite being only two letters and one syllable. This is especially true when it comes to situations in which it must be said to either a loved one or a figure of authority.

The ability to say ‘no’ to situations you would genuinely not be comfortable in, tasks that you do not have the capacity for, and ideas you don’t believe in, is a superpower that if you are lucky enough to boast, is worth giving yourself credit for.

3. You’re Grateful For Your Past

Whether or not a substantial portion of your past has been riddled in hardship, everything that you’ve experienced in life thus far has played a role in making you into who you are today. The ability to recognize that, by seeing the bigger picture to even the most unfortunate of situations, rather than opting to forever dwell in fear, blame or regret is quite the accomplishment.

4. You Trust The Process

One thing is for certain: no matter our age, body of experience, or list of accomplishments in life, we are all consistently a work-in-progress. The ability to recognize that and know that even a rougher today is paving the way for a smoother tomorrow, rather than overreacting to any and all hardship that comes your way is a rare trait to behold and appreciate.

5. You’re Willing To Genuinely Listen

Despite how seemingly natural listening is, it’s amazing how few of us can genuinely classify ourselves as an effective listener. Unsure as to whether or not you are? Think back on the last non-drama filled conversation that you had with a friend or colleague. When not speaking, did you actually pay attention to and process everything that was said to you? Or did you either find your mind drifting to something unrelated or consistently formulating your next response?

If you not only know how to effectively listen, but you recognize the importance of it and how much can be given and gained from it, give yourself credit for that rare skill.

6. You Celebrate Rather Than Compare Yourself To Others

No matter how accomplished you are in life, you will never be the only one to attain goals similar to those that you are striving for–thankfully! And one of the clearest indicators of growth is gauging your reaction when you first discover the successes of others.

Do you choose to be genuinely happy for them and further inspired by their feat? Or do you find yourself riddled in envy? If you are best described by the first option, then be uplifted by your ability to be a true team player.

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Are You A Spiritual Narcissist?

In Brief

The Facts:

Narcissism, in a nutshell, is self-absorption to the extent that it will adopt any set of rationale to protect the ego which often includes a degree of self-deception. Is this happening to many in spiritual trends?

Reflect On:

There is authentic being, and then there is self-absorption which pretending to be authenticity, are we aware of the difference?

We humans often have a hard time finding middle ground. We may be drowning in lack of self-worth one moment, and trampling over other’s with our own self indulgence the next as we struggle to find balance. Narcissism is not simply about enjoying selfies in our social media-saturated world, it goes deeper than that.

It appears as liberation but is a trap that can ruin relationships, increase personal suffering, and keep a person from their true spiritual aspirations. Not surprisingly, increased mindfulness and compassion for this tricky human quirk is the best way to heal it.

What is Spiritual Narcissism?

The capacity to become overly self-indulgent is within all of us, and it becomes increasingly dangerous when we confuse it with spirituality. In many ways it is easy to see that all of humanity is dealing with a certain degree of self-absorption while we desecrate forests and oceans, causing plants and animals to go extinct on our material quests. In his famous book, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, Chogyam Trungpa gave a good foundation for westerners to navigate the pitfalls of our materialistic abundance.

The capacity to become overly self-indulgent is within all of us

We do not have to be ashamed of what we are. As sentient beings we have wonderful backgrounds. These backgrounds may not be particularly enlightened or peaceful or intelligent. Nevertheless, we have soil good enough to cultivate; we can plant anything in it. – Chögyam Trungpa, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

There is a difference between ego-self and the deeper universal soul within us, differentiating the two is important. Sadly, we have spiritual philosophies and religions that have been constructed to feed the ego, inflate self-righteousness, and create division while giving justification for all manner of activities including killing, exploitation, and oppression. Ethical conduct, regardless of spirituality, requires honoring the other and the self as one with each deserving to be respected, heard, and seen with compassion.

No matter what the practice or teaching, ego loves to wait in ambush to appropriate spirituality for its own survival and gain. – Chögyam Trungpa, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

There is a difference between ego-self and the deeper universal soul within us

Finding the Antidote to Self-absorption

Narcissism, in a nutshell, is self-absorption to the extent that it will adopt any set of rationale to protect the ego which often includes a degree of self-deception. Ego is an important aspect of our selves, it is part of self-preservation but when it becomes out of balance it actually has the ability to destroy us and harm relationships.

Many spiritual practices seek to increase our ability to witness and bring mindful awareness to ego drives which allow us to master, instead of being enslaved by our ego. When ego gets too big it can be hard to swallow, yet spiritual liberation invites us to expand our sense of self beyond the ego, beyond time and space.

The goal is to find a balance between the inner experience and the outer reality. How do we embody healthy self-love without becoming an ego-maniac and hurting personal relationships? Meanwhile, self-loathing, and low self-esteem are also manifestations of ego out of balance. Selflessness can often be quite selfish, over-engagement can be as problematic as disengagement socially. Luckily we are here to find this balance through living fully, from making mistakes, and evolving our sense of self-awareness. Healthy self-awareness is the only antidote to self-absorption.

How do we embody healthy self-love without becoming an ego-maniac?

The Story of Narcissus and Echo

One day Narcissus was walking in the woods when Echo, an Oread (mountain nymph) saw him, fell deeply in love, and followed him. Narcissus sensed he was being followed and shouted “Who’s there?”. Echo repeated “Who’s there?”. She eventually revealed her identity and attempted to embrace him. He stepped away and told her to leave him alone. She was heartbroken and spent the rest of her life in lonely glens until nothing but an echo sound remained of her. Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, learned of this story and decided to punish Narcissus. She lured him to a pool where he saw his own reflection. He didn’t realize it was only an image and fell in love with it. He eventually recognized that his love could not be reciprocated and committed suicide. -Wikipedia

Since intention is subjective, a person is often understood within their community by their actions or image. This becomes extra tricky in our age of social media and the materialism that has found it’s way into yoga, meditation, and spirituality. It is possible to put on a good act, to fool those around us and ourselves (temporarily).

Narcissus mesmerized by his own reflection

We can have the latest yoga clothes, read the right books and hang out with all the “cool” people, but if our actions are not grounded in a deeper spiritual practice, basic consideration for others, and respect, it is still hollow. A common analogy is the guy who everyone likes but then goes home kicks his dog, or is rude and unaccountable to his wife.

Deep spirituality makes us more sensitive to the feeling of others, encouraging an open stance of courage where we can drop our protective shields and accept the vulnerability to be seen as we are. Narcissistic sensitivity, however, is focused solely on the subtle nuances one’s own internality, and resists looking at hard, uncomfortable truths that may upset the self image. One who is narcissistically sensitive is easily offended by the “coarseness” of others, seeks to make his environment change to align with the contours of his needs, and gets angry or offended when this does not happen. -The Allure of Narcissistic Spirituality, Huffington Post

How to Identify Narcissistic Behavior

The ability to identify narcissistic behavior in yourself and others is the best way to heal it. It is not your job to diagnose others or tell them they are narcissistic if they are not interested in hearing it or healing it. However, if you draw appropriate boundaries for them you will protect yourself and encourage them to become more mindful. This is a loving and compassionate way to handle narcissism.

The ability to identify narcissistic behavior in yourself and others is the best way to heal it

It is always healthy to make boundaries and speak your truth in a loving and compassionate way. Whether the narcissist hears it or not is out of your control. Common responses from narcissists will include belittling your feelings, a hollow apology without effort to modify behavior, or ignoring you altogether. Basically, they will use any excuse they can in order to not look at it, or to make the situation your fault. This is your cue to make appropriate boundaries for yourself.

Within yourself be open and receptive when others tell you that you have been inconsiderate of them. Accepting constructive feedback from loved ones is a great way to keep a balance between internal needs and external relationships. This is also how we grow as individuals.

Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

Is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her

Requires excessive admiration

Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

Learning to stop keeping all the love for ourselves

Evolving Unhealthy Patterns

Hopefully, this will help you navigate tough interpersonal relationships and also better yourself. It is a beautiful thing that psychology is allowing us to have terms to identify and evolve unhealthy patterns emotionally. As we learn to live in community, we learn many aspects of love. This is how we help ourselves and those around us grow!

I’m republishing, for the CE audience, this piece I wrote for Uplift Connect.

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